Metal buildings have been used since the 1940s, often as warehouses, barns, and other storage facilities. These days, the structures are more popular than ever, used in an ever-growing number of applications ranging from homes and office buildings to public-use venues like churches and shopping centers. The experts at Merritt Mechanical-Fabrication in Cairo, GA, often create metal buildings for agricultural purposes and explain why they’re more popular today than ever.

The Advantages of Metal Buildings

Once used mostly as temporary structures and storage sheds, metal buildings have evolved. They now offer solutions to a variety of construction needs, such as warehouses, offices, and gymnasiums. The agricultural community uses metal structures to house livestock, farm equipment, and grain bins.

Metal buildings are growing in popularity because they can be completed in a fraction of the time required for a standard wood-framed structure. Since they feature prefabricated components, putting them up is a matter of assembly rather than construction. Despite their pre-engineered nature, metal buildings also are easily customized by simply swapping out sections. They can be erected in any weather because metal is impervious to the elements, resisting decay, warping, and corrosion.  

The Evolving Use of Metal Structures

One of the primary advantages of metal buildings is their ability to provide vast, unobstructed space. The use of steel beams eliminates the need for load-bearing walls at the center of a structure. This makes metal buildings perfect for housing everything from indoor athletic fields to convention spaces and performing arts venues. These low-rise structures cover a substantial area at an affordable cost. 

Another force behind the metal building boom is eco-friendliness. Steel is recyclable, so a metal building can reuse the material and eventually be reclaimed as well. Using recycled metal means there’s less need to mine dwindling natural resources. It also reduces pollution because recycling steel requires less processing than creating new material.

The evolution of metal building systems presents exciting opportunities for flexible and durable construction. Their ease of installation and affordability make them ideal for almost any business. If you’re interested in the benefits of a steel structure for farming, contact Merritt-Mechanical Fabrication — they have over 50 years of experience in agricultural design and construction and will create a plan that meets your goals. Call (229) 377-5586 to discuss your project and visit their website for information about the business. Like them on Facebook for more observations and news from the company.